Coupler follower with elastomeric wear pad for preventing metal to metal contact between the follower and the center sill side walls

Abstract

The present invention involves the addition of a device attached to each of the follower block side walls in order to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the follower block side walls and the center sill side walls. The preventative device comprises an elastomeric wear pad attached to a base plate, a base plate being anchored to each of the follower block side walls. The pads are made of a softer, low-friction material, compared to the carbon steel side walls. Since the elastomeric wear pads are softer than the center sill side walls, only the restrictive means will wear, thereby preventing destruction of the center sill side walls no matter how much slack has been developed in the coupling system. The present invention is also adaptable to either E or F type couplers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A railroad car coupling system extending into a car center sill structure for connecting adjacent railcar ends, said center sill structure having a longitudinal axis and a first side wall with a flange, a second side wall with a flange and a top wall, each of said walls connected together to form an inverted, generally U-shaped center sill structure that defines a cavity corresponding with said longitudinal axis of said center sill, said coupling system comprising: a yoke retained within said center sill cavity, said yoke having a longitudinal axis in alignment with said center sill longitudinal axis and including a top strap and a bottom strap which extend longitudinally and parallel to each other, said straps connected to an internal rear wall to form a yoke pocket;   a coupler member, said coupler member having a shank with a first end and a second end, a coupler head, and a generally rectangularly shaped butt end, said coupler head attached to one of said first or second shank ends, and said butt end attached to the other of said first or second shank ends, said coupler butt end extending longitudinally into said yoke pocket;   a draft gear within said yoke pocket and in abutment with said yoke internal rear wall, said draft gear receiving and dissipating external forces experienced by said coupler member, which said forces are transferred from said coupler head to said butt end;   a follower block retained within said yoke pocket for receiving said forces experienced by said coupler member, said follower block positioned transversely to said yoke longitudinal axis, said follower block having a generally rectangular shape defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a front face and a rear face, said front face in contact with said coupler member butt end and said rear face in contact with said draft gear biasing element, said follower block transversely travelling within said enter sill pocket while guided between said top and bottom yoke straps; and   means for preventing said follower block from directly contacting said center sill side walls, said means attached to each of said follower block sidewalls and extending outwardly of said yoke pocket for eliminating abrasive metal-to-metal contact between said follower block side walls and said center sill side walls, said means also protecting said follower block side walls from metal-to-metal contact, whereby wear of said center sill and follower block side walls is eliminated when said external forces operating upon said coupling system cause said follower block to laterally travel within said center sill cavity.   
     
     
       2. The coupling system of claim 1 wherein each of said elastomeric wear pads are attached to a plate and each of said plates are centered on said respective follower block side walls. 
     
     
       3. In a railroad car center sill formed by connecting a top wall and a pair of side walls together to define an inverted generally U-shaped structure having a longitudinal axis with a corresponding cavity, an improved follower block comprising: a generally rectangularly shaped solid body, said body including a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a front face and a rear face, said front face having a raised portion containing a spherically shaped recess for receiving a coupler butt end; and   means attached and centered on each of said follower block sidewalls for preventing said follower block from directly contacting said center sill side walls and for protecting said follower block sidewalls from metal-to-metal contact, said means extending outwardly from said follower block sidewalls and across said center sill cavity in immediate approximation with said center sill side walls thereby eliminating abrasive metal-to-metal contact between said follower block and said center sill side walls and whereby wear of said center sill and follower block side walls is prevented when external forces operate upon said coupling system and cause said follower block to laterally travel within said center sill cavity.   
     
     
       4. The improved follower block of claim 3 wherein each of said wear pads are attached to a plate.